Face mask and method of its production

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a face mask for removal of biological and mechanical impurities from breathed and/or exhaled air, comprising an inner textile layer and an outer textile layer, between which there is arranged a filtering layer of polymer nanofibres and/or active layer of polymer nanofibres, which in its structure contains a biocidal substance/s. The outer as well as the inner textile layer are formed of microfibres, while at least the outer textile layer and with it neighbouring filtering or active layer of polymer nanofibres are hydrophobic, and all layers are interconnected by a net of joints, that prevent their mutual motion and reduce permeability of the face mask only minimally. The inner textile layer is on periphery of the face mask provided with a layer of an adhesive for fastening to the face of the user. This method of fixing the face mask to the face secures perfect adhesion of the face mask to the skin along its entire periphery, thus preventing breathing of an unfiltered air. 
     The present disclosure further relates to a method for production of such face mask.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a face mask for removal of biological andmechanical impurities from breathed and/or exhaled air, comprising aninner textile layer and an outer textile layer, between which there isarranged a filtering layer of polymer nanofibres and/or an active layerof polymer nanofibres which contains in its structure a biocidalsubstance/s.

The invention also relates to a method for production of such face mask.

BACKGROUND ART

A number of patent documents disclose several variants of face masksdesigned for removal of biological and/or mechanical impurities frombreathed and/or exhaled air, which contain at least one layer ofnanofibres.

The face mask disclosed in CN 2640523 belongs to the simplest variantsof such face masks, as it comprises one filtration layer of nanofibresarranged between two layers of fabric. The face mask described in CN2650790 is similar in its structure, here nevertheless the layer ofnanofibres is arranged between two layers of non-woven fabric. Boththese face masks are able to catch mechanical, possibly also biologicalimpurities, especially micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.), whosedimensions are greater than dimensions of interfiber spaces in the layerof nanofibres. Micro-organisms as well as mechanical impurities ofsmaller dimensions penetrate the face mask.

CZ UV 16988 discloses a variant of a face mask which is more demandingas to manufacturing and technology. At this face mask, between twolayers of non-woven fabric, the active layer of nanofibres comprisingparticles of antimicrobial additive is arranged, which actively acts onmicro-organisms caught by layer of nanofibres and partially also onmicro-organisms, which are, thanks to their small dimensions, passingthrough it. Micro-organisms, which have passed through the face mask arekilled or at least weakened by action of the antimicrobial additive, sothat their undesired effect after aspiration is totally or at leastpartially eliminated.

The face mask described in CZ 297697 achieves the highest efficiency.The mask comprises both, the filtering layer of nanofibres, as well asthe active layer of nanofibres with particles of antimicrobial additivearranged between two textile layers. The filtration layer of nanofibrescatches biological as well as mechanical impurities, and the activelayer of nanofibres kills or at least weakens caught or passingmicro-organisms. Combination of two layers of nanofibres simultaneouslysubstantially increases filtration efficiency of the face mask, whichthus catches impurities which might pass through the face mask with onelayer of nanofibres. Nevertheless this face mask is the most complicatedand cost demanding as to its production and technology.

All to date known face masks show number of serious shortcomings whichsubstantially reduce their efficiency and utility value, thus alsowillingness of users to use them. The most substantial shortcoming isthe improper manner of fixation of the face mask to the user's face,usually by means of two or four stripes of fabric, being guided aroundhead or ears of the user. At this manner of fixation nearly upon anyactivity of the user detachment of face masks occurs in areas of theface with greater curvature like in area of the nose or in areas ofgreater motion of the face, like e.g. in vicinity of the mouth and oncheeks, thus the tightness of attachment of the face mask is disturbed,what can cause aspiration of biological and/or mechanical impuritiesthat should be caught by the face mask. Further disadvantage is theexisting method for interconnecting of individual layers of the facemask. These layers are usually interconnected only on their periphery,which causes that especially the middle layer/layers of the face maskmay during manufacturing or usage of the face mask detach from otherlayers, eventually create folds or shifting, which substantially reducesfiltration efficiency of the face mask, eventually restricts efficiencyof acting of antimicrobial additives contained in nanofibres of activenanofibrous layer to caught micro-organisms or other biologicalimpurities. For binding the layers common textile techniques like sewingor needling are used, at which the used tool creates in the face maskholes passing usually through its entire thickness, which may serve as apassage for biological and mechanical impurities, that the face maskshould catch. Next to this, through this holes the textile material isguided, which may contribute to transfer especially of biologicalimpurities contained in air humidity by so called wicking effect. Due tocombination of these shortcomings the present face masks do not achievethe required efficiency.

The goal of this invention is to propose a face mask which would remedyor at least eliminate shortcomings of the background art and to proposemethod of its production.

PRINCIPLE OF THE INVENTION

The goal of the invention has been achieved by a face mask for removalof biological and mechanical impurities from breathed and/or exhaledair, which comprises an inner textile layer and an outer textile layer,between which there is arranged a filtration layer & polymer nanofibresand/or active layer of polymer nanofibres, which comprises in itsstructure biocidal substance/s, and whose principle consists in that,the outer as well as the inner textile layer are formed of microfibres,while at least the outer textile layer and with it neighbouringfiltering or active layer of polymer nanofibres are hydrophobic, and alllayers of the face mask are mutually interconnected by net of joints,that prevent their mutual motion and reduce permeability of the facemask only minimally. Simultaneously the inner textile layer is on theperiphery of the face mask provided with a layer of an adhesive forfastening to face of the user. At such arrangement the face maskachieves high filtration effectiveness, and thanks to hydrophobicproperties of at least the outer textile layer and with it neighbouringlayer of nanofibres is substantially not permeable for air humidity aswell as for humidity from breath of the user, so that it does not becomewet and does not create conditions for penetration of micro-organisms,neither for such which are dimensionally smaller than interfibre spacesof the nanofibrous layer. The layer of adhesive on the inner textilelayer ensures tight adhesion of the face mask to the face of user aroundits entire periphery, so that no detachment occurs and all breathed andexhaled air passes through the face mask.

At the most preferred embodiment of the face mask, its inner textilelayer is formed of a non-woven fabric of spunbond type, which ispleasant upon contact with skin of the user's face, or spunlace, whilethe outer textile layer is formed of a non-woven fabric of meltblowntype, possibly comprises a sub-layer formed of non-woven fabric ofmeltblown type, and a sub-layer formed of non-woven fabric of spunbondtype, while the sub-layer formed of the non-woven fabric of meltblowntype neighbours with the filtering or active layer of nanofibres. In thelatter arrangement the sub-layer formed of non-woven fabric of spunbondtype improves mechanical properties of the face mask and simultaneouslyprotects the sub-layer formed of the non-woven fabric of meltblown typeagainst wear or other damage.

To achieve hydrophobic properties, the filtering layer of nanofibrescomprises the nanofibres from spinnable hydrophobic polymer, like forexample polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyurethane (PUR), polyester(PES), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), etc.

Active layer of nanofibres preferably comprises nanofibres from the samehydrophobic polymers, which in addition comprise in their structurebiocidal substance/s, which kills or at least weakens micro-organismscaught in the face mask. At the same time, silver is suitable biocidalsubstance.

For sufficient interconnection of individual layers of the face mask,which would only minimally reduce its permeability, the individuallayers of the face mask are interconnected by a net of spot joints,whose density preferably ranges between 2 to 50 spot joints to cm² ofthe face mask surface, or by a net of abscissa joints. In some variantsthe abscissa joints, may be mutually joined into a grid.

According to the manner of its production and/or according to therequirements, the net of joints is either regular, or irregular, and isperformed in entire surface of the face mask or in its selected sectiononly.

To secure the tightest adhesion to the user's face and covering his/hernose as well as mouth, the face mask in principle has a shape ofrectangle, while its upper edge is shaped into a protrusion extendingupwards to cover the nose and to fit to its root, and the lower edge hasa recess aiming in the direction upwards to fit to the chin and neck ofthe user.

Next to this, the goal of the invention is achieved by a process ofmanufacturing of such face mask. Its principle consists in that, theface masks are cut out from the fabric at least in two longitudinal rowsarranged side by side along the fabric, in which between the outertextile layer of the face mask and the inner textile layer of the facemask the filtering layer of polymer nanofibres and/or active layer ofpolymer nanofibres, which comprise the biocidal substance/s, issituated, and which is uniform both in direction of width and length ofthe fabric. Before being cut out, the layers of this fabric are mutuallyinterconnected by means of the net of joints preventing mutual shiftingof these layers. At the beginning of production of the face mask thefabric is arranged by its inner layer upwards. Subsequently in the firststep along an entire length of the fabric the continuous folds formiddle section of the face mask of each longitudinal row of face masksare created, which are fixed along width of the fabric in places oflateral sides of individual face masks, after then adhesive is appliedon the peripheral sections of the future face masks, this adhesive isoverlapped by antiadhesive material, and a row of side by side arrangedface masks is cut out into the final shape.

In another variant it is possible to overlap the layer of adhesive byantiadhesive material only after cutting out the face mask shape, whichenables that the antiadhesive material extends over the edges of theface mask, thanks to which it is easier to remove.

For fixation of the folds of the fabric it is advantageous to useultrasound welding, as no holes are created in the fabric, which wouldreduce effectiveness of the future face mask, either no material whichwould serve for transfer of caught micro-organisms is brought into thefabric.

For the purpose to disturb permeability of the face mask for at least aspossible, the layers of the fabric are interconnected by a net of spotor abscissa joints, possibly by a net of mutually joined abscissajoints.

EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT

The face mask 1 for removal of biological and mechanical impurities frombreathed and/or exhaled air according to the invention is in the exampleof embodiment according to the FIG. 1 substantially of rectangularshape, while the longer sides 2 and 20 of the rectangle pass uponapplication of the face mask 1 to the face of the user over the nose andunder the chin, while the shorter sides 3 and 30 pass from the cheek infront of ears to the neck of the user. In the middle section, whichpasses over the mouth and nose the face mask 1 is provided with folds 4,in the represented example of embodiment are these folds horizontal.These folds 4 are on lateral sides of the face mask 1 fixed by any ofknown methods, e.g. by fusion binding by means of ultrasound, and enableforming of the face mask 1 according to the shape and/or size of theuser's face. The upper of longer sides 2 and 20 of the rectangle is inits middle section shaped in upward direction, in the representedexample of embodiment into a shape of upwards extending protrusion 21for covering the nose. The lower of longer sides 2 and 20 of therectangle is in its middle section shaped in upward direction aimingrecess 201, in represented embodiment in the shape of an arch. Thisshaping enables better adhesion of the face mask 1 to the face of theuser.

On its periphery the face mask 1 is on the side designated for contactwith face of the user provided with not represented layer of knownadhesive material with good dermal compatibility. Before usage of theface mask 1, the layer of the adhesive material is covered with anantiadhesive material, in the represented embodiment with coveringstripes 5, 50 and 6, 60 of silicon paper. For easier removal are thesestripes 5, 50 and 6, 60 longer than the respective sides 2, 20 and 3, 30of the face mask 1 and extend beyond its edges. Through this they enableeasier gripping and removal before application of the face mask 1. Atthe same time it is necessary to apply these stripes 5, 50 and 6, 60 onthe face mask 1 after its shape is cut out from semi-product formed oflong band of wide fabric. On the contrary, from the point of view ofmanufacturing it is purposeful to cut out the shape of the face mask 1from wide and long fabric in one operation using one forming tooltogether with in advance stuck stripes 5, 50 and 6, 60 of silicon paper,which are in this case of shape of respective parts of the face mask 1,on which they are situated, and they do not extend over its edges.

Before application of the face mask 1 the covering stripes 5, 50 and 6,60 of silicon paper are removed from the face mask 1. After the edges ofthe face mask 1 are stuck on face of the user, the space around the noseand mouth of the user is enclosed, and therefore all breathed as well asexhaled air passes through the face mask 1.

The face mask 1 according to the invention, namely the fabric from whichis this face mask 1 produced, comprises an inner textile layer and anouter textile layer, between which a filtering and/or an active layer ofpolymer nanofibres is arranged. The inner textile layer being in contactwith user's face is made of a non-woven fabric, preferably of spunbondtype of microfibres from hydrophobic material, like e.g. polypropylene(PP) or polyester (PES), or from a non-woven fabric of spunlace typefrom viscose (VS), cellulose or polymer microfibres. The outer textilelayer is made of a non-woven textile of microfibres from hydrophobicmaterial, preferably from a non-woven fabric of meltblown type frompolypropylene (PP), viscose (VS), polyester (PES) or other microfibres.In the most preferred embodiment the outer textile layer is formed ofcombination of a sub-layer formed of a non-woven fabric of spunbond typeand a sub-layer formed of a non-woven fabric of meltblown type, when thesub-layer formed of the non-woven fabric of spunbond type improvesmechanical properties of the outer layer of the face mask 1 and protectsfrom outside the sub-layer formed of the non-woven fabric of meltblowntype against mechanical wear and damage. Filtering layer of nanofibresis formed of nanofibres from hydrophobic polymer, like e.g.polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyurethane (PUR), polyester (PES),polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), etc. The active layer ofnanofibres is formed of nanofibres from the same hydrophobic polymer, inwhose structure there is arranged suitable substance/s with biocidalaction, which kills or at least weakens micro-organisms (bacteria,viruses, mould fungus, yeast, etc.) caught in the face mask 1 or passingthrough the face mask.

Hydrophobic properties of the outer textile layer and the layer ofpolymer nanofibres, and in case of need also of the inner textile layerat the same time ensure that the face mask 1 is substantially notpermeable for air humidity as well as for humidity of the user's breath,and therefore it does not become wet and does not create suitableconditions for penetration and reproduction of caught micro-organisms.The filtering and/or active layer of polymer nanofibres catches thanksto its submicron porosity and high specific surface majority of physicaland biological impurities contained in the breathed air, especially thedust particles etc., which passed the outer textile layer of the facemask 1.

In case of utilisation of hydrophobic inner textile layer is itsdisadvantage that humidity from breath of the user deposits on the innersurface of the face mask 1, which is in contact with user's face. Forgreater comfort of the user it is therefore advantageous to create thislayer from a hydrophile material, which is able to absorb the humidityfrom breath of the user, so that there is no condensation on itssurface. This variant contributes to better physiological comfort of theuser.

For industrial production, of face masks 1 according to the invention itis necessary to ensure for each produced face mask 1 the sameproperties, especially filtration properties, which are largely securedby the filtering and/or active layer of polymer nanofibres arrangedinside the fabric. Therefore this layer of polymer nanofibres must beeven both in direction of width, and in direction of length of thefabric. Due to the fact that the width smaller dimension, the evennessin direction of length of the fabric is the most important. This can beachieved only through a long-term and repeatedly stable spinningprocess, which is at present represented by a needleless electrostaticspinning of polymer matrix in electric field induced between a spinningelectrode and a collecting electrode, e.g. according to the Europeanpatent EP 1673493 or according to the European patent EP 2059630 orEuropean patent application EP 2173930. At the same time is forproduction of the active layer of polymer nanofibres applied similarprocedure described e.g. in European patent application EP 1869232.

At its production the layer of polymer nanofibres is deposited on acarrying substrate layer, which is made of a non-woven fabric ofmeltblown type or by combination of non-woven fabrics of spunbond andmeltblown type. This substrate layer has basis weight usually ininterval 30 to 80 g/m², with diameter of fibres from 1 to 5 micrometers.Before depositing the layer of polymer nanofibres, a binder securingbetter interconnecting of the layer of polymer nanofibres with thesubstrate layer may be applied on the substrate layer. In therepresented and described embodiment, the substrate layer represents theouter layer of the face mask 1.

After the layer of polymer nanofibres is deposited on the carryingsubstrate layer and after possible drying and/or cross-linking ofnanofibres, on the layer of the polymer nanofibres a covering layer ofmicrofibres from hydrophobic material, preferably of spunbond type isdeposited, which in the produced face mask 1 forms the inner layerdesignated for contact with the user's face. This covering layer usuallyhas basis weight in interval 12 to 50 g/m², with diameter of fibres from1 to 5 micrometers.

All three layers of fabric for production of the face mask 1 accordingto the invention are in one example of embodiment mutuallyinterconnected by not represented dense net of spot joints formed by abinder and/or by fusion binder to secure constant mutual position of alllayers during manipulation with the fabric during production of the facemask 1 as well as during handling the face mask 1 at its storage orusage. A dense net of spot joints is understood as a net with 2 to 50bindings points/cm² of surface of the fabric serving for production ofthe face mask 1. Specific weight of the used binder usually varies inthe range 2 to 20 g/m². The advantage of the spot interconnecting of thelayers is, that it substantially does not influence total permeabilityof the face mask 1, this not even if it is used on its entire surface,and simultaneously, on the contrary to date common sewing or needling oflayers of the face mask 1, it does not create in the face mask holesenabling passage of biological and/or mechanical impurities, neitherdoes it bring into it any material, which may contribute to such passageby so called wicking effect. To interconnect the layers, of the facemask 1 by means of a binder and/or fusion binder it is possible to usee.g. the procedure disclosed in CZ PV 2010-373, when the said binder orfusion binder is applied on some of the layers of the face mask 1,possibly on several layers of the face mask 1, and at subsequentlamination it interconnects all its layers. The net of spot joints maybe a regular one, or an irregular one, and may be densified in places ofincreased mechanical stress of the face mask 1. In other variants ofembodiment the binder and/or fusion binder is applied during productionon some of layers of the face mask 1, possibly on several layers of theface mask 1 in form of fibres or in advance prepared web, so that theperformed joints have shapes of abscissae, possibly they merge intoshape of a network, nevertheless they have the same or similaradvantages as the spot joints. In other variants of embodiment thelayers of the face mask 1 are interconnected in another manner, whichsecures their suitable binding, for example by means of ultrasoundwelding, possibly combination of this procedure with some of the abovementioned ones. Interconnecting of the layers of the face mask 1 is,according to the need and designation of the face mask 1, performedeither in its entire surface or only in its part, for example in thearea of folds 4.

The face mask 1 according to the invention is on the free surface of theinner layer provided with a layer of adhesive, mostly in shape of astripe guided along an entire periphery of the face mask 1 for fixationto the user's face. If compared with to date common cases, when the facemask 1 is fixed to the user's face with stripes of fabric or othersimilar manner, the face mask according to the invention enablesabsolute adhesion of the face mask 1 to the face, thanks to which is thetotal efficiency of the face mask 1 and its utility value substantiallyincreased, as the air is not breathed either exhaled through the gapsbeing created between the face mask 1 and the curved or moving parts ofthe user's face, or through its detachment. In another variants the facemask 1 according to the invention is provided with further layersdeposited on its inner and/or outer textile layer, which increase itsfiltration efficiency towards biological and/or mechanical impurities,possibly they actively act against caught micro-organisms, or make thecontact of the face mask 1 with face of the user more pleasant, increaseits service life, wear resistance, consistency, etc. At the same timeone of further layers may be represented by further filtration and/oractive layer of polymer nanofibres. Next to this, the face mask 1 may befurther provided with known stiffening elements, which further increasetightness of its attachment and/or prevent its detachment from theuser's face through its shaping.

Industrial production of the face masks 1 according to the invention isafter then performed so that at first all layers of the fabric servingfor production of the face mask 1 are positioned one on the other, thenin some of the above mentioned manner they are interconnected by a netof spot and/or abscissa joints, which prevent their undesired shiftingat further operations. As the carrying substrate layer for depositing offurther layers preferably serves the outer textile layer of the futureface mask 1, on which gradually the filtering and/or active layer ofnanofibres and the covering layer, which represents the inner textilelayer of the future face mask, are deposited. The filtering layer ofnanofibres and/or active layer of nanofibres is preferably deposited onthe carrying substrate layer directly through electrostatic spinning. Atthe beginning of production, the fabric is arranged by its inner textilelayer of future face mask upwards. Subsequently, along the entire lengthof such prepared fabric using known device the continuous folds ofrequired size and density are created, which are fixed along width ofthe fabric in places of shorter lateral sides 3, 30 of individual futureface masks 1 in a suitable manner, which does not create holes in thefabric, which would after then deteriorate filtration properties of theface mask 1, e.g. by ultrasound welding. After then, on upper layer ofthe fabric on edge sections of future face masks 1 a layer of suitableadhesive with good dermal compatibility is applied, said layer isoverlapped by an antiadhesive material, e.g. by stripes 5, 50 and 6, 60of silicon paper. Subsequently, from the fabric a row of side by sidearranged face masks 1 of required shape are cut out.

In further variants of production of the face mask the layer of adhesivematerial and/or antiadhesive material may be applied only after theshape of the face mask 1 is cut out from the fabric.

The following examples generally describe various variants of embodimentof the face mask 1 according to the invention.

Example 1

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is made of a non-woven fabricof spunbond type preferably from polypropylene (PP), polyester (PES) orother microfibres, whose basis weight varies according to the need anddesignation of the face mask 1 in interval 12 to 50 g/m². On the saidlayer a filtering layer of nanofibres from hydrophobic polymer e.g.polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyurethane (PUR), polyester (PES),polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), etc., prepared through aneedleless electrostatic spinning, whose basis weight varies accordingto the need and designation of the face mask 1 in interval from 0.03 to1 g/m² is deposited. Diameter of nanofibres achieves 150 to 600nanometers. On the filtering layer of nanofibres there is furtherdeposited an outer textile layer of the face mask 1 made from anon-woven fabric of meltblown type, preferably from polypropylene (PP),viscose (VS), polyester (PES), possibly also other microfibres, whosebasis weight varies according to the need and designation of the facemask 1 in interval from 30 to 80 g/m². All layers of the face mask 1 areinterconnected by a network of spot joints.

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is on edges on its outersurface provided with a layer of an adhesive material of good dermalcompatibility.

Example 2

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 and on it deposited filteringlayer of nanofibres are created in the same manner as in example 1. Onthe filtration layer of nanofibres there is deposited an outer textilelayer formed of combination of a sub-layer made from non-woven fabric ofmeltblown type, preferably from polypropylene (PP), polyester (PES),possibly other microfibres, and a sub-layer made from non-woven textileof spunbond type preferably from polypropylene (PP), possibly othermicrofibres while its resulting basis weight varies according to theneed and designation of the face mask 1 in interval from 30 to 80 g/m².The sub-layer made from non-woven fabric of spunbond type improves atthe same time mechanical properties of the face mask 1 and protects thesub-layer made from non-woven fabric of meltblown type againstmechanical wear or other damage.

All layers of the face mask 1 are interconnected in the same manner asin example 1.

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is on edges on its outersurface provided with a layer of an adhesive material of good dermalcompatibility.

Example 3

The outer textile layer of the face mask 1 and the filtering layer ofnanofibres are created in the same manner as in example 1. Both theselayers are deposited on the inner textile layer of the face mask 1,which is made of a non-woven fabric of spunlace type preferably fromviscose (VS), cellulose or polymer microfibres, whose basis weightvaries according to the need and designation of the face mask 1 in theinterval from 30 to 80 g/m².

All layers of the face mask 1 are interconnected in the same manner asin example 1.

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is on edges on its outersurface provided with a layer of an adhesive material of good dermalcompatibility.

Example 4

The inner and outer textile layers of the face mask 1 are made ofnon-woven fabrics in the same, manner as in example 1. Between themthere is deposited an active layer of nanofibres prepared throughneedleless electrostatic spinning, which comprises nanofibres ofhydrophobic polymer for example polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF),polyurethane (PUR), polyester (PES), polylactic acid (PLA),polycaprolactone (PCL), etc., containing in their structure biocidalsubstance/s, e.g. nanoparticles of silver, or other suitable substanceswith biocidal action. Basis weight of the active layer of nanofibresvaries according to the need and designation of the face mask 1 ininterval from 0.03 to 1 g/m². Diameter of nanofibres achieves 150 to 600nanometers.

All layers of the face mask 1 are interconnected in the same manner asin example 1.

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is on edges on its outersurface provided with a layer of an adhesive material of good dermalcompatibility.

Example 5

The inner and outer textile layers of the fate mask 1 are made ofnon-woven fabrics in the same manner as in example 2. Between them thereis deposited the active layer of nanofibres according to the example 4.

All layers of the face mask 1 are interconnected in the same manner asin example 1.

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is on edges on its outersurface provided with a layer of an adhesive material of good dermalcompatibility.

Example 6

The inner and outer textile layers of the face mask 1 are made ofnon-woven fabrics in the same manner as in example 3. Between them thereis deposited the active layer of nanofibres according to the example 4.

All layers of the face mask 1 are interconnected in the same manner asin example 1.

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is on edges on its outersurface provided with a layer of an adhesive material of good dermalcompatibility.

Example 7

The inner textile layer, of the face mask 1 is made of a non-wovenfabric in the same manner as in example 1. On the said layer there isdeposited the active layer of nanofibres of hydrophobic polymer, forexample polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyurethane (PUR), polyester(PES), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), etc., containingin their structure biocidal substance/s, for example nanoparticles ofsilver, or other suitable substances with biocidal action, whose basisweight varies in interval from 0.03 to 1 g/m². On the active layer ofnanofibres there is further deposited the filtering layer of nanofibresof hydrophobic polymer, whose basis weight varies in interval from 0.03to 1 g/m². Both layers of nanofibres are produced through needlelesselectrostatic spinning. On the active layer of nanofibres there isfurther deposited the outer textile layer of the face mask 1 made ofnon-woven fabric as in example 1.

All layers of the face mask 1 are interconnected in the same manner asin example 1.

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is on edges on its outersurface provided with a layer of an adhesive material of good dermalcompatibility.

Example 8

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is made of non-woven fabricin the same manner as in example 2. On the said layer there is depositedthe active layer of nanofibres of hydrophobic polymer, containing intheir structure biocidal substance/s as in example 7, and on it there isdeposited the filtering layer of nanofibres from hydrophobic polymer.Both layers of nanofibers are produced through needleless electrostaticspinning. On the filtering layer of nanofibers there is furtherdeposited the outer textile layer of the face mask 1 formed fromnon-woven fabric as in example 2.

All layers of the face mask 1 are interconnected in the same manner asin example 1.

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is on edges on its outersurface provided with a layer of an adhesive material of good dermalcompatibility.

Example 9

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is made of non-woven fabricin the same manner as in example 3. On the said layer there is depositedthe active layer of nanofibres from hydrophobic polymer, containing intheir structure biocidal substance/s as in example 7, and the filteringlayer of nanofibres of hydrophobic polymer. Both layers of nanofibresare produced through needleless electrostatic spinning. On the activelayer of nanofibres there is deposited the outer textile layer of theface mask 1 formed from non-woven fabric as in example 2.

All layers of the face mask 1 are interconnected in the same manner asin example 1.

The inner textile layer of the face mask 1 is on edges on its outersurface provided with a layer of an adhesive material of good dermalcompatibility.

1. A face mask for removal of biological and mechanical impurities frombreathed and/or exhaled air, comprising an inner textile layer and anouter textile layer, between which there is arranged a filtering layerof polymer nanofibres and/or active layer of polymer nanofibres, whichin its structure contains a biocidal substance/s, wherein the outer aswell as the inner textile layer are formed of microfibres, while atleast the outer textile layer and with it neighbouring filtering oractive layer of polymer nanofibres are hydrophobic, and all layers aremutually interconnected by a net of joints, that prevent their mutualmotion and reduce permeability of the face mask only minimally, and theinner textile layer is on periphery of the face mask provided with alayer of an adhesive for fastening to the face of the user, whereas theface mask is at least in its middle section for covering the mouth andnose provided along its whole width with folds, which are fixed inplaces of shorter lateral sides.
 2. The face mask according to the claim1, wherein the inner textile layer is formed of a non-woven fabric ofspunbond or spunlace type, and the outer textile layer is formed of anon-woven textile of meltblown type.
 3. The face mask according to theclaim 1, wherein the inner textile layer is formed of a non-woven fabricof spunbond or spunlace type and the outer textile layer comprises asub-layer formed of a non-woven textile of meltblown type and asub-layer formed of a non-woven fabric of spunbond type, while thesub-layer formed of non-woven fabric of meltblown type neighbours withfiltering or active layer of nanofibres.
 4. The face mask according toclaim 1, wherein the filtering layer of nanofibres contains nanofibresof polymer from the group of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF),polyurethane (PUR), polyester (PES), polylactic acid (PLA),polycaprolactone (PCL).
 5. The face mask according to claim 1, whereinthe active layer of nanofibres contains nanofibres of polymer from thegroup of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyurethane (PUR), polyester(PES), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), which in theirstructure contain biocidal substance/s.
 6. The face mask according tothe claim 5, wherein the nanofibres of the active layer containnanoparticles of silver.
 7. The face mask according to claim 1, whereinall layers of the face mask are interconnected by a net of spot jointshaving density from 2 to 50 spot joints to cm² of the face mask surface.8. The face mask according to claim 1, wherein all layers of the facemask are interconnected by a net of abscissa joints.
 9. The face maskaccording to claim 1, wherein all layers of the face mask areinterconnected by a net of mutually joined abscissa joints.
 10. The facemask according to claim 7, wherein the layers of the face mask areinterconnected in the entire surface of the mask.
 11. The face maskaccording to claim 7, wherein the layers of the face mask areinterconnected in the active section of surface of the mask.
 12. Theface mask according to claim 1, wherein the upper longer side of theface mask is shaped into the protrusion extending in upward direction tocover the nose and to fit to its root, and the lower longer side of theface mask is shaped by the upward direction aiming recess to fit to thechin and neck of the user.
 13. A method for production of face masks,wherein they are cut out from fabric at least in two longitudinalstripes arranged side by side along the fabric, in which between anouter textile layer of the face mask and an inner textile layer of theface mask there is situated a filtering layer of polymer nanofibresand/or active layer of polymer nanofibres, which contain a biocidalsubstance/s, and which is even in direction of width as well as lengthof the fabric, and before the process of cutting out is started, thelayers of the textile are mutually interconnected by a net of jointspreventing mutual shifting of layers of the fabric, while the fabric isat beginning of production of the face mask arranged by the inner layerof the face mask upwards, and in the first step along an entire lengthof the fabric continuous folds for the middle section of the face masksof each longitudinal row of face masks are created, which are fixedalong width of the fabric in places of shorter sides of the face masks,after then an adhesive is applied on, peripheral sections of future facemasks, this adhesive is overlapped by antiadhesive material, and a rowof side by side arranged face masks is cut out into final shape of theface masks.
 14. A method for production of face masks, wherein they arecut out from fabric in at least two longitudinal stripes arranged sideby side along the fabric, in the said fabric between an outer textilelayer of the face mask and an inner textile layer of the face mask thereis situated a filtering layer of polymer nanofibres and/or active layerof polymer nanofibres, which contains a biocidal substance/s, and whichis even in direction of width as well as length of the fabric, andbefore cutting out is started the layers of the fabric are mutuallyinterconnected by a net of joints preventing mutual shifting of layersof the fabric, while at the beginning of production of the face mask thefabric is arranged by the inner layer of the face mask upwards, and inthe first step along an entire length of the fabric continuous folds formiddle section of the face masks of each longitudinal row of face masksare created, which are fixed along width of the fabric in places ofshorter sides of the face masks, after then an adhesive is applied onthe peripheral sections of the future face masks, subsequently a row ofside by side arranged face masks is cut out into final shape of the facemasks, and the layer of adhesive is overlapped by an antiadhesivematerial.
 15. Method according to claim 13, wherein the folds are fixedby ultrasound welding.
 16. Method according to claim 13, wherein thelayers of the fabric are mutually interconnected by a net of spotjoints.
 17. Method according to claim 13, wherein the layers of thefabric are mutually interconnected by a net of abscissa joints. 18.Method according to claim 13, wherein the layers of the fabric aremutually interconnected by a net of mutually joined abscissa joints.